Quake could cripple Metro Manila

Earthquake drills and disaster preparations will continue in Metro Manila because these are necessary to better equip the people and to minimize the impact of a big quake that may shut down the country’s premier region, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Sunday.

Coloma noted that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had taken steps to mitigate effects of such disaster.

As part of its disaster-mitigation measures, the MMDA is simulating what it calls “Metro Manila shutdown” by identifying possible evacuation sites and mapping out contingency plans for the “Big One.”

Such simulation will give officials an idea about the scale of the devastation and how fast agencies can render basic services.

Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, had warned that a 7.2 earthquake emanating from the West Valley Fault may kill as many as 37,000 people and injure 140,000 others. The economic losses would reach P2.5 trillion.

Solidum said such big quake will affect 13 percent of residential buildings, 10 percent of buildings that have 30 stories and two percent of high-rise buildings.

Devastation wrought by an earthquake can be made worse by hazards that come in wake of a temblor such as fires, liquefaction and landslides.

To demonstrate the effects of a big earthquake on communities, MMDA officials will begin meeting with local officials this week.

3 Comments

It depend on the intensity of the earthquake at the same time this is nature and we can’t hardly predict the scope of disaster it might bring. Preparation is ok but most important is that the government must be strict and follow the right guideline in enforcing earthquake inspection on various Building and houses. also the structure that should been build in the first place because it lies directly on the path of the faultline, that the only better option. earthquake drill is ok but too much hype means nothing in reality. pray to God for safety everyday and wish for the best .